The Neerlandia Sports Committee is one step closer to its goal of constructing a multi-sport facility and community hall in the hamlet, thanks to a decision by County of Barrhead councillors.
On Aug. 7, councillors unanimously approved a request from the Neerlandia Sports Committee for the county to donate 50 loads of gravel, or about 1,000 yards, to be used to construct an outdoor ice rink.
The gravel donation, which equates to about $16,000, can only be used in the construction of the sports pad, which cannot begin until they receive a development permit. The committee will also have to find a way to haul the gravel themselves.
The ice rink is the first step in what the committee hopes will be a multi-use facility that will include an indoor artificial ice rink and community hall.
The committee started fundraising for the project about six years ago after the community lost its outdoor ice rink due to the construction of Neerlandia Public Christian School’s new building.
County manager Debbie Oyarzun said in June 2017 the committee approached council about contributing funding to the project.
The request was denied.
“At that time there was a little bit of uncertainty about the land [primarily its ownership], what was being constructed and the availability of funds,” she said, adding that once those details were clarified, councillors suggested in-kind donations of equipment or materials were a possibility.
Sports committee member Brent Wierenga said that since they last appeared before council in 2017, they have been able to cement many of the details that made councillors wary of committing to the project.
“We have applied for our development permit. We have title of the land that was generously donated by the Neerlandia Co-operative Association. Most importantly we now have the finances [$150,000] in place to build our sports pad,” he said, reading from a letter.
Wierenga added the committee is currently preparing the site for construction in hopes of having the pad and boards in place in time for this winter.
“However, in our projected costs, the fill and gravel we had listed as a donation [from the county]. If this is not the case our project may need to be postponed until next year,” he said.
“This is something we are greatly reluctant to do as we have fundraised very hard for the past three years and have over $150,000 set aside for this. Many volunteers are willing to help and everyone is excited that we will have a rink in place for this winter.”
As a temporary measure, the committee has also arranged through donation the use of portable trailers that could be used as change rooms.
Under county policy 32.27 (Aggregate Material Sales), administration has the authority to reduce the rates for aggregate materials and hauling by 50 per cent to not-for-profit organizations or religious bodies.
“The reason why we do this is that our gravel is considered a tangible asset and a dollar amount is assigned to it, even if it is an in-kind contribution,” Oyarzun said.
Using the current market rate of $14 per cubic yard and $2 per cubic yard for hauling, the committee’s request would be about $8,000, not including GST or the cost of hauling.
Reeve Doug Drozd asked what the gravel would be used for.
Wierenga said the gravel would be primarily used as a compacted base. They would then add a layer of sand and Styrofoam before pouring the concrete.
Drozd then asked if the committee could arrange to haul the gravel themselves.
“Obviously we are trying to stretch the $150,000 as far as we can go, so we will try to organize a hauling crew ourselves,” said Don Wierenga. “It might be tough because we have pulled quite a bit out of the community already.”
Coun. Dennis Nanninga asked if the county approved the donation if the first stage of the project could be completed.
Eldon Wierenga said it would be close, noting they might have to do more fundraising or find a grant to pay for the boards.
Drozd asked who would be responsible for the operating costs of the facility, especially in the later stages when an ice-making machine is installed.
“It would fall on the Sports Committee; we have title to the property,” Eldon Wierenga said. “That is one of the scarier parts of our long-term goal. That is what is killing existing facilities and it is something we have to be aware of. We would have to fundraise actively on an ongoing basis.”
Oyarzun asked if the committee had thought about raising funds through board and ice sponsorships.
“Absolutely. What we are looking at are portable boards that you can set them up in different configurations for different sports and those you can easily put sponsorships on,” Brent Wierenga said.
